I recall having coffee with a young man at a crowded Starbucks one evening. He had been attending a church for several years and was feeling an urge to go into vocational ministry. He asked if I would visit with him about it, so we agreed to meet.
As we settled into our seats, I just asked him about his spiritual journey and how God was moving in his life. He was a lean, sharp young man in his early twenties with a tight haircut, untucked shirt, and pressed shorts. He leaned forward, and with excitement in his voice he spent the next half hour talking about how much he loved the people in the church, and how he really enjoyed serving in the church youth group. I listened intently.
Then, while drawing my cup up close for another sip I asked, “So, tell me about when you gave your life to Christ?” He paused and looked at me as if he didn’t understand the question, so I rephrased. “I mean, tell me when you became a Christian. How did that happen?” He mumbled something along the lines of “I’ve always believed in God.” “I was confirmed at the age of twelve.” He was obviously grasping for words.
That night, I spent my time talking to him about Jesus. I shared with him how much God loves him and that God created him to know Him in a deep and personal way. I explained that our problem is that sin has separated us from God, and we are all cut off from him.
I remember saying, “Look around this crowded coffee shop.” His eyes scanned the room, briefly glancing at the faces of the people standing in line to order. “Every one in this room, and every one in our world has fallen short of God’s design for them. Every one of us is separated from God and hopelessly lost.” I could see his demeanor change as he absorbed the heaviness of those words.
I continued, “But, that is why Jesus came. God sent His only Son to die on a cross. On that cross, He absorbed the wrath of God and paid sin’s penalty on our behalf. He died. He was buried. Three days later He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death and the grave. If you will turn from your sin and turn to Jesus, He promises to forgive you and restore your broken relationship with God.”
I let the words hang in the air. Then I asked, “Have you ever done that?” After a good while, he simply said, “No, I haven’t.” In fact, he wasn’t sure he was ready for that kind of commitment. Going to seminary was one thing, but actually following Jesus was altogether different.
As we left that coffee shop, I left wondering how many other people are just like this young man—churched, involved and sincere, but lost. The first step in becoming a disciple is coming to faith in Jesus.